Figure 3.

Functions of suPAR. The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is expressed on the surface of immune cells, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, and proteolytic cleavage in the linker region or glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of uPAR generates soluble uPAR (suPAR). Various functions of suPAR have been proposed, including inhibition of neutrophil efferocytosis; binding of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and vitronectin; stimulation of angiogenesis via endothelial sprouting and tube formation; promoting chemotaxis; and interactions with β₃ integrin, which is suggested to cause podocyte injury in the glomeruli. Adapted from Rasmussen, LJH (2018) (19) with permission.